Samsung’s influence on foldable phones can’t be understated. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 only features minor improvements, which makes me feel like there’s more to explore elsewhere. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold looks to be a lot more powerful, which is why I think it’s the better option.
1 The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a more compact design
Samsung didn't push the boundaries of what foldable phones can do with the Galaxy Z Fold 6. This update does slightly redesign the design, making the device more user-friendly, but it still leaves a lot to be desired, especially for small phone lovers like me.
I use the iPhone 15 Pro daily, and anything taller than that feels uncomfortable to use. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with its wider, lower design, offers a solution to this preference of mine.
Not to be missed, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. When unfolded, the Pixel is 5.1mm thick compared to 5.6mm on the Z Fold, and when folded, it's 10.5mm thick compared to 12.1mm on the Z Fold 6.
I'm used to stepping out of my comfort zone with the number of devices I review. But when it comes to a personal phone that I plan to use long-term, I want it to be easy to use with one hand.
2 I want better cameras on my phone.
Moving on to the cameras, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 6 are quite similar, I feel that the slight differences favor the Pixel. I'm not taking away any points on the camera hardware of the Z Fold 6 as these foldable phones have similar hardware to their predecessors.
First, the main camera. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s 48MP wide camera has an 82-degree field of view, which means photos will be flatter compared to the 85-degree field of view on Samsung’s 50MP wide camera. It also means there will be less of a fisheye effect with the Pixel camera.
Then, on the wide-angle camera, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a dedicated macro mode, which means you can get closer to your subjects and capture a wide range of shots. For someone who loves to travel and take photos, this is a better option than none at all.
Finally, let’s talk about the telephoto camera. When I got the iPhone 15 Pro, I told myself I wouldn’t miss the 5x optical zoom — available on the 15 Pro Max — but oh my, I was wrong. That’s why the Pixel Fold’s 5x optical zoom is a more compelling proposition for composing images than the Z Fold 6’s 3x optical zoom.
Add to that the various software features Google adds to its camera experience, like Top Shot and “Add Me,” and you have an experience that the Z Fold 6’s cameras just can’t match.
3 Pixel 9 Pro Fold will get updates faster
As with other posts about Pixel devices, there’s another clear advantage to owning a Google phone. It’ll get updates faster than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. I enjoy that aspect of the ownership experience; waiting for updates isn’t my thing.
When some of the best features of Android 15 arrive on compatible devices later in 2024, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be one of the first to receive them. With the Z Fold 6, I’ll have to wait weeks, if not months, before Samsung rolls out the OneUI-based version.
However, it is worth appreciating that both Samsung and Google offer seven years of software upgrades and security updates for their devices.
4 I can expect new features with Pixel Drops.
The final reason I chose the Pixel 9 Pro Fold over the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the features Google adds to its original devices over time through Pixel Feature Drops. These quarterly updates bring more functionality after launch, meaning the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will get better over time, just like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have since their 2023 launch.
Even at launch, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features exciting features like Pixel Screenshots and Add Me. Both are AI-powered features that use images in interesting ways. For example, Pixel Screenshots can remember details from a screenshot and then use the Gemini Nano model to make it easier to organize data, remember locations or events, and more.
With the competition in the foldable phone space increasing, I think Samsung can do more to differentiate its Z Fold lineup. The One UI interface already offers the most advanced multitasking experience, giving the company the upper hand, but I feel that hardware improvements are long overdue.
On the other hand, Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold brings several noteworthy changes over its predecessor — both hardware and software — that give it an excitement factor that I can't wait to try out.